Baby we were Born to Run,
I apologise for not posting in a while - too busy gushing over my new Walkman (aka my one true love) and Teen Wolf (Belting out 'Win in the end' and desiring to go surfing).
Speaking of Michael J. Fox, Back to the Future is in great danger of being destroyed by the idea of it being turned into a musical. I should probably explain that, in my opinion, Back to the Future is one of the best films (possibly THE best trilogy) of all time. Seriously if you haven't seen it drop everything and watch it NOW !
Therefore I almost screamed in terror when I found out - nobody else can play Marty and Doc and nothing else can re-create the greatness of one of the best films ever.We need to create time travel so this abomination of an idea can be erased.
Anyway, onto happier thoughts :
The only reason I originally picked this up was because of the title (I'm a huge Bruce fan in case you didn't already know) it was an added bonus that the plot line was also pretty appealing and that it just so happened to be YA from the 80's. I squealed even more when I realised it was entirely written in letter format - which is one of the best formats I think.
What I ended up with was a surprise... But certainly a pleasant one at that. It had depth, raw emotions and I felt as if I had an interpersonal relationship with Terry.
The easiest way to describe the plot would be that it seems unintentionally to follow the same theme pattern as Bruce's albums :
We begin with Greetings from Ashbury Park - Terry's naive and only just beginning to grow up(like Bruce was when he made the album). He still thinks his parents will stay together.
Then we move onto The Wild, The Innocent and The E.Street Shuffle - Sadness mixed with Happiness (like the album) Terry's parents are separated but he's made a new friend who shares his musical dreams - Terry wants to be a Rockstar.
Born to Run - Bruce and Terry's breakthrough. Terry purchases a secondhand electric guitar and amplifier - his first step in the door in music.
Darkness on the edge of town, The River and Nebraska - All sad albums ( well The River not as much as the other two). Terry attempts to date but his first relationship falls through and saddest of all he sees the harsh reality of how his Dads been living after the divorce (he moved to a different city). This part was very emotional as I was almost in tears at the part where his Dad comes after him in the bus station.
Born in the U.S.A - None of the other albums had been released when this book was written so this is the album the book ends on. The end and by far the happiest (and best) part of the book, the same words can be used to describe that album in my opinion.
Terry hosts a charity concert and headlines with 'Dancing in the Dark' and drags his new crush on stage. It turns out the love is requited and she's a Bruce fan too so she has my vote. Terry also accepts his stepfather and has a proper relationship with his father. He stops writing the letters because he no longer needs to escape life.
I'd definitely recommend this to Bruce fans as it's basically a homage to him and is packed with references yet it also has a lot of depth to it too.
Verdict : 4 Stars !
Babysitters Club review on it's way,
Mimi
xheartx
